The aim of this paper is to illustrate how the radical changes that have occurred within the global oil and gas industry over the past decade, have impacted on the areas of employment and career development. Like the oil market, Petroleum Engineering is not constrained by boundaries and the changes we have seen in Australia are not unlike those seen elsewhere such as Europe and North America.
A number of influencing factors which brought about change include:
- –
The collapse of the oil price in 1986 and continued restricted oil price
- –
A decade of limited graduate intake and training
- –
A decrease in the number of experienced professionals
- –
The trend toward higher productivity performance through technology
- –
A new focus on competencies and capabilities
These changes require a fundamental shift in the way in which the industry recruits, selects and ensures the on-going supply of well-trained people. This paper will cover past events and practices, the lessons learned and how those lessons can be translated into "Making a Difference" for the ongoing viability and sustainability of a company's development and potentially, the industry as a whole.
P. 416